Before coming to Barnabus, Andre was struggling to cope in his own accommodation. He was living in a privately rented shared house and was falling behind on his rent. He was struggling with his mental health and lost confidence within himself. Following the sudden and devastating loss of multiple family members, he had experienced significant trauma and grief. Without the right support in place, Andre turned to alcohol as a way of managing his pain. This began to impact his wellbeing and ability to maintain stability.

Recognising that Andre needed additional support, we offered him a place in one of our supported houses. Andre lived there for seven months, during which time he was provided with a safe, supportive environment and tailored support from staff. This period allowed him to begin rebuilding his confidence and focus on his recovery.

As Andre’s stability improved, he became increasingly engaged with the Barnabus community. He began volunteering with us, giving back to others while also developing valuable skills and a renewed sense of purpose. He helped out in our support centre, cleaning and cooking for our guests. His commitment and positive attitude were clear and his progress throughout this time was extremely encouraging.

In December Andre achieved a major milestone by moving into his own flat. This transition marked an important step towards independence and long-term stability. Since moving into his new home, Andre has stopped drinking and continues to focus on maintaining the positive changes he has made. He has embraced the opportunity to build a healthier and more secure future.

Andre has taken another huge positive step forward by attending a job interview for a team leader position at a company. He feels ready to stand on his own two feet, deal with the stresses of work and continue on his path of sobriety. He is so far into his journey and now feels ready and able to live a happy life within society after a devastating loss of family. This achievement reflects the confidence and determination he has developed during his journey with Barnabus and this is the outcome we hope for with everyone we work with.

Our housing team leader said “Seeing the change in Andre has been so amazing to watch and be a part of. We will continue to support him in any way we can”.

Andre’s story is a powerful example of the impact that stable housing and compassionate, person-centred support can have. It highlights how, with the right help at the right time, people can move beyond crisis and towards a future filled with hope and positive opportunities.

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